What is the difference between a puff and an e-cigarette?

With the rise of vaping in France, more and more new vaping devices are emerging to meet the needs of all users. For the past few years, the puff has been winning over more and more smokers looking for a simple and effective solution to quit smoking.

Even though the puff falls within the e-cigarette family (EC for insiders) and is designed with the same aim of reducing tobacco use, its usage, cost and impact are quite different.

Let's look together at the key differences between these two products favoured by more and more smokers to help you make the best choice!

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What is a puff?

Before its ban in France, the puff was a fully disposable e-cigarette, designed for simple and occasional use. It is now available in rechargeable forms.

This pre-filled product contains liquid (often nicotine-based, or without), an integrated battery and a coil. It delivers a limited number of puffs and is then discarded. The most popular models are:

• Puff 6K
• Puff 10K
• Puff 12K
• Puff 15K
• Puff 24K
• Puff 25K
• Puff 26K
• Puff 28K
• Puff 30K
• Puff 32K
• Puff 33K
• Puff 45K
• Puff 50K

It is so simple to use that very little explanation is needed to get the device working for the first time. It requires neither maintenance nor repair, as it is simply discarded and replaced with a new one.

The disposable puff was originally designed to be sold in quick-distribution outlets (such as tobacconists) where guidance, sales advice and customer feedback have no place. Sold in huge quantities, it has found its way into many hands over the years.

It has to be said that their simplicity has won over smokers with the least technological ease, or former vapers who were disappointed by a first purchase of a classic e-cigarette (too complicated, too much maintenance, too many problems) because they were poorly advised, or smokers simply wanting to try e-cigarettes at a lower cost and without commitment.

Accessible to complete beginners, it is nonetheless just as effective and formidable for quitting smoking! 

Since the ban on disposable puffs at the beginning of 2025, it can now be found in other rechargeable forms, much more similar to the classic e-cigarette. The aim of this ban: to make this format more sustainable over time and generate less waste. 

Since then, the puff has not said its last word and offers an increased number of puffs, and therefore greater durability, to last several days or weeks (USB-C rechargeable battery, refillable e-liquid tank, long-lasting coil).

A few examples of our best puffs

The Puff Tornado X 25000 by White Rabbit

The Puff Tornado X offers great battery life, a large screen, two vaping modes and a refillable cartridge. It comes with 2 premium French e-liquids in 10 ml format with the flavour and nicotine level of your choice. 

When to replace it? The Puff Tornado X can be refilled with liquid and recharged, but when the coil starts showing signs of wear after a few weeks (burnt taste, altered flavours), it will need to be replaced.

See the Puff Tornado X

The JNR Falcon X Puff by JNR

With 28,000 puffs, its ergonomic rectangular design, its 950 mAh rechargeable battery and the intense flavours of the e-liquids that come with it, the JNR Falcon-X 28K is a technological success for fans of fruity vaping and simple yet high-performing models.

When to replace it? Just like the Tornado X puff, this JNR Falcon can be refilled with e-liquid and recharged, but its coil is single-use. Make sure to replace it when it becomes too worn and produces a burnt taste. 

See the JNR Puff

The Nexi One Dual by Le Vapoteur Discount & Aspire

Halfway between a puff format and an e-cigarette, the Nexi One Dual offers great ease of use, excellent battery life and a wide range of flavours in different nicotine levels: 0, 12 and 20 mg/ml.

When to replace it? On the Nexi One Dual, only the cartridges need to be replaced once empty. The device itself (battery, vape pen) can be kept for months or years.

See the Nexi One Dual LVD 

Looking for a rechargeable puff? Head to our catalogue!

And the classic e-cigarette?

Unlike puffs, the e-cigarette is fully rechargeable and durable over time. It also consists of a tank, a coil, a liquid to be chosen according to your nicotine needs and a generally more powerful battery. 

It does however require minimal maintenance such as changing the coil approximately every three weeks and recharging the battery more or less regularly. On the vast majority of models, you will also need to choose a compatible e-liquid based on your taste preferences and nicotine level (and an appropriate PG/VG ratio).

More expensive to buy, the classic e-cigarette is however kinder to your wallet in the long run as it is far more durable than the puff.

This type of model comes in several formats:

• Pod e-cigarette: this compact format is the one closest to the puff, particularly in the simplified operation it offers. The broad pod family includes complex, fully customisable devices as well as models as simple as puffs with pre-filled e-liquid tanks, nicotine or nicotine-free.

• Tube e-cigarette: it is the first form of e-cigarette to have emerged and the latest e-cigarette and puff models still draw inspiration from it. The tube format is probably the simplest and most similar to the traditional cigarette. Most models require very little maintenance. 

• Box e-cigarette: this model, often in a larger format, is for vapers seeking the best battery and e-liquid life. Customisable, it generally offers advanced settings to suit experienced users.

A few examples of our best classic e-cigarettes

The Wenax M2 Kit by GeekVape

This pod-format kit stands out for its original look and intuitive use, perfect for vapers of all levels.

The Wenax M2 features an increased battery life of 1200 mAh. It is compatible with cartridges with integrated coils with a choice of a soft touch plastic drip tip or a filter-style drip tip that has already won over many users.

See the Wenax M2 Kit

The Soul 2 Kit by GeekVape

The Soul 2 Kit is a pod-format e-cigarette with large battery and e-liquid capacities. Its minimalist and elegant design was created for an enjoyable everyday vape with the option to adjust, or not, the wattage up to 35 watts. It is compatible with the new Soul V2 cartridges designed for the occasion with an extended lifespan.

See the GeekVape Soul 2 Kit

The CoolFire Z80 Zenith 2 Kit

With the Coolfire Z80 kit, Innokin delivers a new generation of e-cigarette with a vaping experience more accessible to beginners. A mark of quality, this kit is powered by a removable 18650 battery and its power output lets you switch between MTL (tight draw) vaping and massive clouds.

Its clearomizer, the Zenith 2, delivers an incredible flavour rendering with Innokin's Z Coils coils! 

See the CoolFire Z80 Kit

Looking for your next e-cigarette or cheap pre-filled pods ? Discover our catalogue!

Puff vs. e-cigarette: which one to choose?

User reviews:

• Puffs are great for trying out vaping or as a backup option for low liquid consumption, with no commitment risk. 

• Rechargeable e-cigarettes are preferred by regular vapers or those quitting smoking for their durability and long-term cost.

In summary

The term "puff" refers to a disposable e-cigarette with limited use, while the e-cigarette is a rechargeable product, more customisable, cost-effective and suited to quitting smoking. Each solution has its advantages depending on your profile: smokers, beginners or experienced vapers, based on their liquid consumption.

Before buying, remember to check:

• the nicotine level,

• authorised sales (especially for disposable products),

• your needs in terms of battery, flavours, vapour and usage.

Find on our website a selection of puffs, pod kits and accessories for a safe vaping experience at the best price. Don't miss our selection to find a 100 ml e-liquid or a cheap Al Kimiya e-liquid and make great savings!